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SEASIDE PARK, N.J. — The massive fire that destroyed several blocks of the beloved Seaside
Park boardwalk in New Jersey last week was caused by faulty electrical wiring, officials said
yesterday.

Investigators determined that the fire began behind a candy shop, below a “very, very old”
section on the southern end of the boardwalk.

The wiring there, which investigators think was installed after 1970, was completely
inaccessible and had been submerged in saltwater and sand during Hurricane Sandy, officials
said.

It was unclear whether the wires failed because of their age or as a result of storm damage.

The fire broke out Thursday afternoon at the south end of the commercial boardwalk in Seaside
Park. Flames whipped by the wind spread quickly, and before 400 firefighters could contain it, the
fire had destroyed dozens of small businesses. Nobody was seriously injured.